Support assembly means

ABSTRACT

A bed assembly ( 1 ) for altering the position of a person supported thereon, includes a longitudinal support frame ( 5 ) having a support surface ( 23 ) for a person and a longitudinal cradle means ( 4 ) extending over the support surface. The cradle has a recess ( 10 ) extending along side portions of the cradle in the longitudinal direction. The recesses are adapted to receive and engage cradle support engaging means ( 7, 7   a ). These means are mounted to the support frame in close relation to the recess and adapted to be extendable and retractable in engaging relation within said recess so as to promote a change in configuration of the cradle. A first actuator ( 3 ) is disposed beneath the support frame and coupled to the engaging means for extending or retracting the engaging means. In a first condition the actuator causes the engaging means to extend towards and be received by the recess, causing the cradle means to move between a position of rest and a concave configuration about the central longitudinal axis. In a second condition, the actuator causes the engaging means to retract, returning the cradle to the rest position. Movement between the two conditions being controlled continuously, staggered or cyclicle so as to aid movement of the person lying on the support surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a support assembly means which support means isadapted to conform to a range of configurations. In particular thepresent invention relates to a support assembly means for supporting abody held thereon in a range of different positions. Even moreparticularly the support assembly means finds specific application inrelation to treatment of long term bed ridden patients.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many problems faced by long term bed ridden patientssubstantially incapable of supporting their own movement. Persons whostay in contact with bed support for long periods of time are prone tosuffer from poor blood circulation and decubitus ulcers (bed sores) as aresult of a generally immobile condition. Generally patients fallinginto this category have required in the past significant and repeatedattention by hospital staff, person carers or relatives so as to avoidlying or sitting in a single position for extended periods of time.

Problems have often been exacerbated due to low hospital staffing levelsand therefore failure to provide adequate frequency of patient positionchange. Even further difficulties are experienced when such adequatefrequency of change requires disturbance of a patient day and night andlabour intensity associated with frequent physical lifting of patientsgenerally undertaken by nursing staff. Particular occupational healthand safety problems have been highlighted when repeated heavy lifting isrequired.

There have been many attempts in the prior art to address the aboveproblems. For example in GB 2045603 there is disclosed a bed in which apatient can be supported by an open net mesh which is attached across asupport frame, which is in turn supported by a base frame. The supportframe consists of two spaced parallel longitudinal members which areadapted to fold inwards thus providing the net mesh to support apatients weight. The means by which a patient is rolled comprises acombination of tilting the support frame and tensioning the mesh net atvarious points, depending on what part of a patients body the net issupporting. This type of bed is somewhat clumsy and requires presence ofnursing staff so as to appropriately apply tension to the mesh netduring the course of operating the bed.

In EP 262771 there is disclosed a sub-bed mattress assembly adapted toroll a patient. The sub-bed mattress consists of two leafs dividedlongitudinally and overlaying a respective lateral portion of asupporting base connected by hinges. There is disposed beneath each leafbladders for independently raising each leaf so as to roll a bedoccupant. When one bladder is inflated the overlaying mattress portionis raised and the whole mattress moved sideways so that a person lyingthereon is correspondingly rolled. This system is again cumbersome,expensive and cannot be used to form a cradle configuration. In thisprior art there is inevitably a risk of a patient rolling out of thebed.

Other prior art such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,875,598, whilea cradle type configuration is adopted, in order for rocking motion tocommence so as to roll a patient some patient motion is required toinitiate rocking movement. In addition the cradle configuration isattained by providing multiple hinges, collapsing spring assemblies andtelescoping components, which add to the complexity of this apparatus.

It is known that a conventional hospital bed can adopt a variety ofpositions found to be useful for aiding treatment or improving comfortof persons suffering certain medical conditions. The following positionsfor example the trendelenberg 15°, reverse trend 15°, cardiac chair,vascular and posture relaxation are known to persons skilled in the art.A conventional hospital bed can be raised or lowered for convenience inany of the above positions, and can be tilted to some extent withdifficulty.

The applicant has found that prior art means of turning patients havesuffered the drawback of not being able to do so in all availableconventional positions. There has, as previously mentioned, thereforebeen a long felt need to address this problem so as to provide a meansof turning a patient in any combination of desired bed positions.

The present invention intends to ameliorate at least one of the abovedisadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There has been a long felt need in this art to provide an efficient andcost effective means of improving patient care and quality of life forlong term immobile bed ridden patients.

Accordingly the present invention provides in a first aspect a bedassembly for altering the position of a person supported thereonincluding:

a longitudinal support frame having a support surface for receiving aperson thereon;

a longitudinal cradle means extending over the support surface, thecradle means being attached to the support surface substantially along acentral axis in the longitudinal direction thereof, the cradle meansfurther incorporating a recess extending along side portions of thecradle means in the longitudinal direction thereof adapted for receivingand engaging an engaging means;

a cradle support engaging means mounted to the support frame in closerelation to said recess adapted to be extendable and retractable inengaged relation within said recess along said longitudinal sideportions of said cradle means so as to promote change in configurationof said cradle means;

a first actuator mechanism disposed beneath the support frame inphysical coupling relation to the engaging means for extending orretracting the engaging means;

wherein in a first condition the first actuator means causes theengaging means to extend towards and be received by said recessextending along said longitudinal side portions of the cradle means,thereafter causing the cradle means to move, in positive engagement withthe engaging means, with extending movement of the engaging meansbetween a position of rest and a substantially concave configurationabout the central longitudinal axis of the support surface and in asecond condition the first actuator means causes the engaging means toretract so as to correspondingly promote movement of the cradle meansfrom said substantially concave configuration to said resting positionconforming with the support surface, the change in configuration of thecradle means between said first and second condition being controllablycontinuous, staggered or cyclicle so as to aid movement of a personlying on said support surface.

In a second aspect of the invention there is disclosed a bed assemblyfor altering the position of a person supported thereon including:

a longitudinal support frame having a support surface for receiving aperson thereon;

a base support on which the support is centrally pivotally mounted;

a longitudinal cradle means extending over the support surface, thecradle means being attached to the support surface substantially along acentral axis in the longitudinal direction thereof, the cradle meansfurther incorporating a recess extending along side portions of thecradle means in the longitudinal direction thereof adapted for receivingand engaging an engaging means;

a cradle support engaging means mounted to the support frame in closerelation to said recess adapted to be extendable and retractable inengaged relation within said recess along said longitudinal sideportions of said cradle means so as to promote change in configurationof said cradle means;

a first actuator mechanism disposed beneath the support frame inphysical coupling relation to the engaging means for extending orretracting the engaging means;

a second actuator mechanism coupled between the base support, andlongitudinal support frame for promoting independent pivot movement ofthe support frame about its longitudinal central axis;

wherein in a first condition the first actuator means causes theengaging means to extend towards and be received by said recessextending along said longitudinal side portions of the cradle means,thereafter causing the cradle support to move in positive engagementwith the engaging means, with extending movement of the engaging meansbetween a position of rest and a substantially concave configurationabout the central longitudinal axis of the support surface and in asecond condition the first actuator means causes the engaging means toretract so as to correspondingly promote movement of the cradle meansfrom said substantially concave configuration to said resting positionconforming with the support surface, the change in configuration of thecradle support means between said first and second condition beingcontrollably continuous, staggered or cyclicle;

and the second actuator mechanism is able to act upon the support frameso as to promote tilting movement thereof to one side or the other aboutthe longitudinal axis of the support frame;

the change in configuration of the cradle means being independent of thetilting movement of the support frame so as to aid movement of a personlying thereon.

It has been found by the applicant that a person lying on the bedassembly of the invention is able to be moved by the change inconfiguration of the cradle means. Because the configuration of thecradle means is able to change either continuously or incrementally, theapplicants have also found that a body can be moved with less manualphysical labour intervention. The applicant has also found that thecradle means enables turning of patients in all known conventional bedpositions.

PREFERRED ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention finds particular application to hospital beds, inparticular for aiding movement of informed, invalid or bedriddenpatients incapable of moving themselves.

Preferably the cradle means is a sheet type material having a recess oneach side portion said recess extending in a longitudinal directionthereof.

Preferably the sheet material is selected from thermoplastic orthermosetting plastics. More preferably the material is aacrylomitrilebutadiene-styrene copolymer.

Preferably the cradle means can be a single continuous sheet or can be aseries of sheet sections adapted to correspond to divided sections of asupport frame.

Preferably the cradle means has a series of slots evenly spacedextending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

The purpose of such slots is to improve the flexibility of the sheet andits ability to contour so as to better support various body parts duringturning. It is found by the applicant that depending on the position ofthe patients body on the sheet, certain parts of the sheet will be undertension by virtue of weight distribution of a patient supported thereon,while other parts may remain loose.

Preferably a central portion of the cradle means extendinglongitudinally along the support frame is securably attached to thesupport frame by means of screwing to the frame or by using a system ofvalcro.

Preferably the cradle means can further have a mattress placed thereon.

Preferably the cradle support engaging means is a frame structuredisposed beneath and extending across said support frame.

Preferably the frame structure includes a set of raising arms adapted tobe extendable and retractable when said engaging means is acted upon bysaid first actuator mechanism.

Preferably the raising arms are cantilevered so as to adopt a firstfolded position adjacent longitudinal sides of the support frame whenretracted and a second perpendicular position with respect to thesupport surface when extended.

Preferably the frame includes a pair of engagement transmission barspositioned on either side of the support frame and coupled to theraising arms so as to be raised and lowered with extended and retractedmovement of the raising arms respectively.

Preferably the raising arms and transmission bars are able to be movedin unison.

Preferably the support frame is divided into a plurality of sections orplates.

More preferably the support frame has at least two sections, mostpreferably there are three sections or plates adapted to beindependently slidably or pivotally movable so as to be capable ofadopting any number of conventional positions including for example areclining position and other positions mentioned previously.

Preferably the support frame can be pivotally adjusted about a verticalplane passing through its centrally located longitudinal axis.

Preferably the base support can be raised or lowered or tilted about avertical axis.

Preferably the first and second actuator means is a piston operatedhydraulically or by compressed air or electronically. More preferablythe actuator means can be operated by a remote sensor device.

Preferably the actuator means can be continuously operable. In this waythe movement of the cradle support means can be performed with thesupport frame and base support in any desired combination of positions.

The applicants have found that the bed assembly of the present inventioncan effectively and efficiently support a body up to a weight of about150 kg. The applicants present invention is capable of continuous orintermittent independent actuation of side arms and rocking motion bymeans of a first and second actuator respectively. This means that abody being supported by the present invention can be turned repeatedlywhile passing through a central origin point. Turning of a patient canalso be conducted while the support frame is inclined at any angle tothe base frame or at any predetermined height. In particular anadvantage of the present invention is its capability of turning apatient with the bed in any desired combination of positions.

Specific embodiments of this invention will now be described by way ofnon-limiting example.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 represents an end view of the support assembly in a flathorizontal position.

FIG. 2 represents an end view of the support assembly showing the sheetin cradle configuration.

FIG. 3 represents a schematic view of the support assembly havingdisposed on the sheet a mattress in cradle configuration conforming tothe contour of the sheet.

FIG. 4 represents a schematic view of the support assembly in a reclinedposition.

FIG. 5 represents a schematic view of the support assembly in a flathorizontal position.

FIG. 6 represents a schematic view of the support assembly in a slightlyinclined position with the sheet in cradle configuration.

FIG. 7 represents a schematic side view of the support assembly in aflat horizontal position.

FIG. 8 represents a schematic view of the support assembly in a inclinedposition.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a support assembly in a reclined angled forwardposition.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a support assembly in a reclined h horizontalposition.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a support assembly in a reclined angledbackward.

FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15 represent an end view of the support assemblywhich shows the support frame in a number of tilting positions each withthe sheet engaged in a cradle configuration.

FIG. 16 shows a side view of the support assembly with support frame andsheet in horizontal and flat configuration respectively.

FIG. 17 is an end view of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the support assembly as in FIG. 16 with thesheet being engaged in cradle configuration.

FIG. 19 is a rear view of FIG. 18.

INTEGER LIST

1. Bed assembly

2. Short lever arm

3. First actuator mechanism

4. Cradle support engaging frame

5. Support frame

6. First actuator

7. Raising arm

7 a. Second raising arm

8. Sheet

9. Securing means

10. Folded recess of sheet

12. Second actuator mechanism

14. Mattress

15. Base frame

19. Transmission bar

20. Sections of support surface

21. Pivotal attachment

22. Second end of raising arm

23. Support surface

24. Pivot connection point

25. Second actuator

26. First transverse axle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT WITH REFERENCE TO THEDRAWINGS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown an end view of a bedassembly (1) of the invention. The bed assembly comprises a base frame(15) which provides pivotal attachment support at pivot point (21) for agenerally rectangular support frame (5). The support frame (5) has asupport surface (23) on which a body may be positioned. The supportsurface incorporates at least two preferably three sections or plates(20) (shown in FIG. 9) which can be moved independently into a varietyof positions. For example in FIG. 9 there is shown a support frameincorporating three sections (20) which sections are pivotally andlockably moveable in relation to the support frame. A reclining positionis represented in FIG. 9.

Also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an ABS flexible sheet (8) securelyattached to the support frame along a central point in a longitudinaldirection by securing means (9) illustrated as a nut and boltcombination.

There is shown in FIG. 2 a clear end view representation of raising arms(7) in raised position with elongate longitudinal transmission bars (19)attached thereto, the transmission bars are shown in engagementarrangement with folded recess (10). of flexible sheet (8) so as to forma concave configuration. In FIG. 1 raising arms (7) are shown in alowered arrangement in folded relation to support frame (5). In thiscondition the cradle support sheet conforms to the support surface (23)of the support frame (5).

There is shown clearly in FIGS. 3, 16 and 18 two raising arms (7) and(7a) which are securely attached at a first end (22) to an elongatelongitudinal transmission bar (19) and pivotally attached at the otherend (24) to a transverse cross member (26) extending across and beneaththe support frame (5) to be pivotally attached to a correspondingraising arm (7). The transmission bar (19) is represented engaging therecess folds (10) of the ABS sheet.

A specific embodiment of the bed assembly is shown in reference to FIGS.16 to 20.

FIGS. 16 and 18 illustrate a side view of the bed assembly (1) of thepreferred embodiment fitted with a cradle sheet (8), a cradle supportengaging frame (4) and a cradle support engaging frame raising mechanism(3).

It is to be understood that some of the components of the bed assemblyhave been removed for the purposes of illustrating with clarity themechanism for achieving a change in configuration of the cradle supportsheet.

In a first condition shown in FIG. 16 the cradle support sheet (8) issupported in a flat horizontal arrangement on the supporting surface(23) of the bed assembly (1). In this condition the recessed folds (10)of the cradle support sheet (8) rest on the support surface innon-engaged relation with and adjacent to longitudinal transmission bars(19). In order to raise the cradle sheet (8) from the flattenedposition, a first actuator mechanism (3) is bounded between the supportframe (5) and cradle support engaging frame (4).

The first actuator mechanism (3) comprises an electric actuator (6) suchas an electric screw motor which when activated enables extension andretraction of an extended arm. The extendable/retractable arm is coupledat one end of a short lever arm (2). The other end of lever arm (2) ispivotally coupled to the bottom edge of support frame (5) at pivotconnection point (24) and the raising arm (7) is fastened at a first endto pivot together with short lever arm (2) at pivot point (24). Atransverse axle (26) is also connected at the pivotal connection point(24) extending across and underneath the support frame to joincorresponding sets of components so as to enable the first electricactuator (6) to drive both sets of components through short lever arm(2).

The second end (22) of raising arm (7) is connected to a longitudinaltransmission bar (19) which in turn is adapted to be received within therecess (10) of the cradle sheet (8). As shown the cradle supportengaging frame (4) includes a second raising arm (7 a) spaced apart fromthe first lever arm (7) and connected to a corresponding lever arm via asecond transverse axle (not shown). The upper ends (22) of both leverarms (7) and (7 a) are connected to the transmission bar (19).

As shown in FIG. 16, when the actuator (6) is in a retracted positionthe cradle support sheet (8) lies in a flat and horizontal conditionwith pivotable arms (7) and transmission bar (19) positioned adjacent tolongitudinal edges of the support frame (5).

As the actuator (6) is extended, the lever arms (7) and (7 a) are actedupon by short lever arm (2) so as to cause the lever arms (7, 7 a) andtransmission bar (19) connected thereto to be moved and raised inunison.

As can be seen in FIG. 18, in raised condition, the lever arms (7, 7 a)have adopted a perpendicular orientation relative to the support surfaceenabling the transmission bar (19) to be raised and received in engagedrelation within the recess folds (10) of the cradle support sheet (8).As a result the configuration of the cradle means (8) is altered betweena flattened position and a symmetrical concave orientation. The concaveorientation is best seen in FIGS. 2, 6 and 19.

The first actuating means (6) can be adapted to continuously orincrementally extend or retract so that movement of the longitudinal barcan cycle through a variety of positions during the course of engagementand disengagement of sheet (8). In this way the sheet can adopt avariety of configurations depending on the tension applied to it by theextent of engagement with the longitudinal transmission bar.

In FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15 there is shown in end view the supportassembly with sheet (8) adapted to be in concave cradle configuration,in various filting positions, and in various height adjusted positions.The tilting of said support frame is achieved by a second actuatormechanism (12) which is disposed underneath said support frame andwithin the base support (15). The second actuator mechanism comprises anactuator (25) shown with an extendable/retractable piston arm attachedto the support frame (5) at pivot point (21). Tilting or rocking motionis caused by the second actuator by means of the piston arm eitherextending or retracting, causing the support frame (5) to pivot inrelation to the base support at pivot point (21).

The second actuating means can be adapted to continuously orincrementally cause pivotal movement of the support frame in relation tothe support base.

A further advantage of the present invention not shown in the diagramsis that the cradle configuration of the cradle sheet can be adopted whenthe sections of the support frame are in gentle reclining position. FIG.4 shows three sections of the support frame in gentle recliningposition.

The height of the support assembly can be varied by conventionaladjustments to the base support (15). The base support is conventionallyadapted to enable the support frame to be tilted at an angle about itstransverse central axis.

FIGS. 5 to 11 show the bed assembly of the invention in a range ofreadily achievable positions and combinations of positions. In each ofthese positions a mattress (14) is illustrated conforming to theconfiguration of the support surface and cradle sheet so as to providemovement of a person lying thereon without the need for excessivelabour.

The claims, illustrations, photographs and drawings, if any, form partof the disclosure of this specification as does the description, claims,illustrations, photographs and drawings of any associated provisional orparent specification or of any priority document, if any, all of whichare imported hereinto as part of the record hereof.

Finally it is to be understood that various alterations, modificationsand/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions andarrangements or parts without departing from the spirit and ambit of theinvention.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:
 1. A bed assembly foraltering the position of a person supported thereon including: alongitudinal support frame having a support surface for receiving aperson thereon; a longitudinal cradle means extending over the supportsurface, the cradle being attached to the support surface substantiallyalong a central axis in the longitudinal direction thereof, the cradlefurther incorporating a recess extending along side portions of thecradle and above the support surface in the longitudinal directionthereof, said recess being adapted for receiving and engaging a cradlesupport engaging means; said cradle support engaging means being mountedto the support frame in close relation to said recess said engagingmeans being extendable and retractable in engaged relation within saidrecess along said longitudinal side portions of said cradle to promotechange in configuration of said cradle; a first actuator mechanismdisposed beneath the support frame in physical coupling relation to theengaging means for extending or retracting the engaging means; wherein,in a first condition, the first actuator mechanism causes the engagingmeans to extend towards and be received by said recess extending alongsaid longitudinal side portions of the cradle thereafter causing thecradle means to move, in positive engagement with the engaging means,with extending movement of the engaging means between a position of restand a substantially concave configuration about the central longitudinalaxis of the support surface, and, in a second condition, the firstactuator mechanism causes the engaging means to retract tocorrespondingly promote movement of the cradle from said substantiallyconcave configuration to said resting position conforming with thesupport surface, the change in configuration of the cradle between saidfirst and second condition being controllably continuous, staggered orcyclical so as to aid movement of a person tying on said supportsurface.
 2. A bed assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cradle is asheet type material having a recess on each side portion said recessextending in a longitudinal direction thereof.
 3. A bed assemblyaccording to claim 2 wherein the sheet material is selected from thegroup consisting of thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics.
 4. A bedassembly according to claim 3 wherein the sheet material is aacrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene copolymer.
 5. A bed assembly according toclaim 1 wherein the cradle is selected from the group consisting of asingle continuous sheet and a series of sheet sections adapted tocorrespond to divided sections of a support frame.
 6. A bed assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the cradle has a series of slots evenlyspaced extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. 7.A bed assembly according to claim 1 wherein a central portion of thecradle extending in a longitudinal direction is securably attached tothe support frame by at least one of screwing to the frame and using asystem of hook and loop fasteners.
 8. A bed assembly according to claim1 wherein the cradle further includes a mattress placed thereon.
 9. Abed assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cradle support engagingmeans is a frame structure disposed beneath and extending across saidsupport frame.
 10. A bed assembly according to claim 9, wherein theframe structure includes a set of raising arms adapted to be extendableand retractable when said first actuator mechanism acts upon saidengaging means.
 11. A bed assembly according to claim 10 wherein theraising arms are cantilevered to adopt a first folded position adjacentlongitudinal sides of the support frame when retracted and a secondperpendicular position with respect to the support surface whenextended.
 12. A bed assembly according to claim 10 wherein the framestructure further includes a pair of engagement transmission barspositioned on either side of the support frame and coupled to theraising arms to be raised and lowered with extended and retractedmovement of the raising arms respectively.
 13. A bed assembly accordingto claim 11 wherein the raising arms and transmission bars are moveablein unison.
 14. A bed assembly according to claim 1 wherein the supportframe is divided into a plurality of sections or plates.
 15. A bedassembly according to claim 14 wherein the support frame has at leasttwo sections adapted to be independently slidably or pivotally movableto be capable of adopting any number of conventional positions.
 16. Abed assembly according to claim 1 wherein the support frame can bepivotally adjusted about an imaginary vertical plane passing through itscentrally located longitudinal axis.
 17. A bed assembly according toclaim 1 wherein the base support can be at least one of raised, lowered,and tilted about a vertical axis.
 18. A bed assembly for altering theposition of a person supported thereon including: a longitudinal supportframe having a support surface for receiving a person thereon, a basesupport on which the support frame is centrally pivotally mounted; alongitudinal cradle extending over the support surface, the cradle beingattached to the support surface substantially along a central axis inthe longitudinal direction thereof, the cradle further incorporating arecess extending along each side portion of the cradle in thelongitudinal direction adapted for receiving and engaging an engagingmeans; a cradle support engaging means extendably mounted to the supportframe in close relation to said recess adapted to be extendable andretractable in engaged relation within said recess along said sideportions to promote change in configuration of said cradle; a firstactuator mechanism disposed beneath the support frame in physicalcoupling relation to the engaging means for extending or retracting theengaging means; a second actuator mechanism coupled between the basesupport and longitudinal support frame for promoting independent pivotmovement of the support frame about its longitudinal central axis;wherein, in a first condition, the first actuator mechanism causes theengaging means to extend towards and be received by said recessextending along said side portions, thereafter causing the cradle tomove in positive engagement with the engaging means, with extendingmovement of the engaging means between a position of rest and asubstantially concave configuration about the central longitudinal axisof the support surface, and, in a second condition, the first actuatormechanism causes the engaging means to retract to correspondinglypromote movement of the cradle from said substantially concaveconfiguration to said resting position conforming with the supportsurface, the change in configuration of the cradle between said firstand second condition being controllably continuous, staggered orcyclical; and the second actuator mechanism is able to act upon thesupport frame to promote tilting movement thereof to one side or theother about the longitudinal axis of the support frame, the change inconfiguration of the cradle being independent of the tilting movement ofthe support frame to aid movement of a person lying thereon.
 19. A bedassembly according to claim 18 wherein the first and second actuatormechanism is a piston operated by at least one of hydraulic, compressedair, and electricity and the first and second actuator mechanism can beoperated by a remote sensor device.
 20. A bed assembly according toclaim 18 wherein the first and second actuator mechanism can becontinuosly operable.
 21. A bed assembly according to claim 18 whereinthe cradle is a sheet type material having a recess on each side portionsaid recess extending in a longitudinal direction thereof.
 22. A bedassembly according to claim 21 wherein the sheet material is selectedfrom the group consisting of thermoplastic and thermosetting plastics.23. A bed assembly according to claim 21 wherein the sheet material is aacrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene copolymer.
 24. A bed assembly accordingto claim 18 wherein the cradle is selected from the group consisting ofa single continuous sheet and a series of sheet sections adapted tocorrespond to divided sections of a support frame.
 25. A bed assemblyaccording to claim 18 wherein the cradle has a series of slots evenlyspaced extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. 26.A bed assembly according to claim 18 wherein a central portion of thecradle extending in a longitudinal direction is securably attached tothe support frame by at least one of screwing to the frame and using asystem of hook and loop fasteners.
 27. A bed assembly according to claim18 wherein the cradle further includes a mattress placed thereon.
 28. Abed assembly according to claim 18 wherein the cradle support engagingmeans is a frame structure disposed beneath and extending across saidsupport frame.
 29. A bed assembly according to claim 28 wherein theframe structure includes a set of raising arms adapted to be extendableand retractable when said first actuator mechanism acts upon saidengaging means.
 30. A bed assembly according to claim 29 wherein theraising arms are cantilevered to adopt a first folded position adjacentlongitudinal sides of the support frame when retracted and a secondposition perpendicular to the support surface when extended.
 31. A bedassembly according to claim 29 wherein the frame structure furtherincludes a pair of engagement transmission bars positioned on eitherside of the support frame and coupled to the raising arms to be raisedand lowered with extended and retracted movement of the raising armsrespectively.
 32. A bed assembly according to claim 30 wherein theraising arms and transmission bars are able to be moved in unison.
 33. Abed assembly according to claim 18 wherein the support frame is dividedinto a plurality of sections or plates.
 34. A bed assembly according toclaim 33 wherein the support frame has at least two sections adapted tobe independently slidably or pivotally movable so as to be capable ofadopting any number of conventional positions.
 35. A bed assemblyaccording to claim 18 wherein the support frame can be pivotallyadjusted about a vertical plane passing through its centrally locatedlongitudinal axis.
 36. A bed assembly according to claim 18 wherein thebase support can be at least one of raised, lowered, and tilted about avertical axis.